Kingad Is Happy With Progress But Wants Moraes & Johnson Rematches

ONE flyweight contender Danny Kingad, is coming off a win over Wei Xie at ONE: Fire And Fury, at the start of the year. The win took his professional mixed martial arts record to 14-2. His only two losses have come against the current champion Adriano Moraes, and the number one contender, Demetrious Johnson.

‘The King’ was submitted by the current ONE flyweight champion Moraes, at ONE: Legends of the World in 2017, in his first attempt to capture the belt. Then, after a six fight winning streak, Kingad went to a decision against one of the greatest pound for pound MMA fighters in the world, losing to Johnson at ONE: Century last October.

Speaking to ONE Championship, Kingad expressed a wish to face both of them again.

“They’re the targets,” Kingad said. “They are the barometers of the division, and they handed me both of my losses, so yes, I hope to face them again.

The Team Lakay star asserted that the possible rematch with ‘Mikinho’ would now be a different story.

“I think if I get to face Adriano again, I’ll come more prepared – particularly in my takedown defence and submission defence.

“Those are the most important things to improve on. When it comes to striking, I’ll also have to polish my power so if there’s a chance to knock him out, I can capitalise.”

Kingad, who sits at number two in the ONE flyweight rankings, was just 21 years old when he faced Moraes the first time, and claims he learned a lot in the process, which would make things a lot different the second time around.

“I think experience was a big factor in that match because it was just my second year in ONE at that time, and then they gave me a world title shot already.

“I think if it happens again, I would be showing a lot of new things – things that I wasn’t able to show in that fight,” the Baguio City native explained. “I’ve learned a lot since that match. I have gained experience from facing different opponents with different styles.

“I’ve continued to improve. The last few years have shown me the value of really working hard during training, focusing on sharpening my skill sets, and assessing my mistakes.”

As far as the loss to Johnson, Kingad admitted that he was a bit too excited coming into the match, and identified the key areas for improvement.

“When it comes to DJ, I have to change a lot of things, especially with how I reacted on the ground.

“Like Moraes, I have to improve my ground game because DJ is also very good on the ground and transitions. I was also too excited when I entered the match. It’s something that I have to work on when we fight next.”

‘The King’ also gave a hint on his strategy, should he face the ‘Mighty Mouse’ again.

“When we fight again, I really have to go and swing for the fences and look for a finish,” he said. “The longer the match goes, the harder it is to take him on.”

Despite the two losses, Kingad is satisfied with his overall progress, and his current position in the ONE flyweight division.

“I am happy that I am in this conversation, and I feel like I’ve changed a lot from all those matches.

“Back then, we were not that experienced, so I am happy that I am seeing the work that we’ve been doing,” Kingad concluded.

Johnson and Moraes are expected to fight for the title as soon as the coronavirus situation gets under control, so we just might see Kingad go after the winner.

How do you think Danny Kingad would get on against Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson the second time round?


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